Job Summary:

The Technical Advisor is one of the key positions for a potential Global Health Security project in Ghana. Reporting to the Country Project Director and working closely with the project’s team, the technical advisor will provide overall technical guidance on different technical and programmatic aspects of the project. Provides the required technical assistance and strategic guidance in preventing avoidable epidemics and outbreaks and enhancing the countries’ abilities to rapidly detect and respond effectively to public health threats. The technical advisor responsibilities will include but not limited to designing different strategies and programmatic interventions/initiatives, and overall assessment of the existing policies that support GHS programs in the country. In consultation and coordination with country project director and team, provides final authorization and approval of the technical portions of proposals, projects’ design, workplans and project’s monitoring and evaluation indicators and plans based on the overall design and direction of the project. Oversees the progress of the projects’ activities in the country as per the approved workplans. Ensures technical project activities are on track and aligned with the approved work plans. Oversees projects’ timelines and budgets. Oversees the quality of different reports and their timely submission to donors and local partners and counterparts. Provides inputs to business development and successfully leads new business development through liaising with major partners and counterparts on global and country levels and supports country business development initiative through participating in projects/activities’ design, proposal development, budgeting, and recruitment efforts (success is measured in terms of establishment of partnerships, recruitment of teams and overall quality of resulting proposals / initiatives). Contributes to developing programmatic’ s indicators for use by the country team to monitor the progress of planned activities.

This position:

• is pending on the award of the project to FHI 360 and availability of funds, and
• reports to the Country Project Director

Accountabilities:

Technical Requirements:

• Provides technical leadership and oversight for different components of the Ghana project’s relevant activities. If applicable, works on problems of complex scope that require evaluation of variable factors.
• Demonstrates good judgment in selecting appropriate technical and strategic approaches, methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining solutions, with little supervision.
• Networks with key internal and external personnel.
• Provides input to senior technical leadership on national guidelines and normative policies for subject matter areas of expertise.
• May interpret findings and make recommendations for improvements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Project Design and Implementation:

• Leads the creation of the technical portion of the country GHS project plans and technical narrative, within the given resource and financial constraints and as per the funder requirements.
• Oversees the overall technical and operational activities
• Coordinates with technical and programmatic staff members to ensure that activities are performed as per award requirements and consistent with the donor requirements and FHI 360 policy.
• Oversees staff members’ assignments.
• Work with Enterprise Services to prepare proposals, contracts and budgets.
• In coordination with project director and technical team, oversees and sets overall technical directions to project team to accelerate the project’s activities implementation as per the approved workplans.
• Ensures adequate coverage of resources to technical team of the project
• Defines and develops solutions for major business or functional challenges.
• Develops tools for the design and implementation of specific technical components Maintains quality assurance of different technical deliverables by ensuring that the implementation is consistent with best practices
• Support country teams in tracking the delivery of project outputs
• Ensures technical implementation is consistent with best practices in the industry / subject and meet client / funder contractual obligations
• .Oversees staff members’ assignments.
• As needed, coordinates with employees and consultants, on-site and in the field for situations that are less routine and more unusual.

Business Development and Client/Funder Support:

• Develops and maintains relationships with potential clients / funders, partners, peers, etc. to develop new business.
• Collect data for inclusion in proposals.
• Leads proposal research, designs, strategies, workplans and budgets
• Participate in business development meetings with partners/clients/funders and provide technical inputs.
• Develop strategies to grow the business.
• Draft sponsor reports and presentations.
• Represents the organization to external entities at professional and technical meetings and conferences and finalizes and approves reports and presentations.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with donor/client organizations, relevant government agencies, bilateral and other NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and consistently maintained and viewed as a knowledgeable resource in their technical area.
• Continually maintains a dialogue and technical exchange with field counterparts and technical staff members of implementing partners.

Partner/Sub-Award Management:

• Drafts sub awards and partner agreements.
• Assists in managing client relations.

Staff Leadership and Training:

• Will supervise team members, monitor performance, and lead professional development efforts.
• Develops and implements training and competency systems.
• Identifies strategies to address training gaps.

Project/Program Reporting:

• In coordination with the Project Director review and ensures the quality of the technical reports and their submission timing to donors and partners

• Ensures close monitoring of project’s indicators’ (global and country-based)
• Prepares and delivers presentations to sponsors on progress.
• Develops project work plans and coordinates with sponsors and partners on activities.

Quality Assurance:

• Ensures technical deliverables and implementation are consistent with GHS best practices and meet client / funder contractual obligations
• Proactively identifies risks or challenges to technical deliverables and creates mitigation plan.
• Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates the effectiveness of projects and makes recommendations for enhancements.
• Ensures the quality of implemented technical activities and systems at all levels.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities, and plan for the successful implementation of activities.
• In-depth functional knowledge around specialization and detailed knowledge of related areas in the organization.
• General understanding of the external environment and how it affects the industry in general and the organization, including political, legal, environmental, financial, and social influences.
• General understanding of the organization’s structure, policies and practices, and the impact on one’s own area.
• Strong diagnostic, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to exchange information, present recommendations and collaborate with colleagues and peers within the organization and possibly externally.
• Ability to influence others of the benefits/importance of an idea or plan of action and to gain their support or commitment.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to reach mutual points of agreement and benefit among peers and colleagues.

Competencies:

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Is sought out to provide advice or solutions around technical area.
• Is informed about current developments around technical area.
• Works under broad direction with considerable latitude for independent action.
• Specific actions are guided primarily by professional standards and expected outcomes of the project.
• Decisions and actions have an impact on the smooth operation and timeframes of the unit programs/projects; impact on the broader organization is generally indirect.
• Problems encountered are complex and may involve unprecedented circumstances; resolution requires investigation, analysis, and review of professional/organizational standards.
• Faulty decisions or recommendations will normally result in critical delays and modifications to projects or operations, cause substantial expenditure of additional time, resources, and funds; and jeopardize future business activity.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Will supervise junior level staff members.
• Work is reviewed in terms of meeting the organization’s objectives and schedules.
• Accomplishes results through managers or senior members of a team.
• Manages a technical area staff and function area within the organization.
• Plays a coaching and mentoring role for others; may assist in team management as necessary, although has no formal people management responsibility.

Education:

• Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Health, Life/Social Sciences International Development, Human Development or Related Field.
• Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in designing and evaluating applicable programs/services – may manage activities of lower-level staff, however, main function is individual contributor.
• A minimum of 8 years of prior experience and/or considerable knowledge of Global Health Security, One Health, and related technical areas such as, but not limited to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), surveillance, Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C), and strengthening laboratory and diagnostic capacities is preferred.

• Documented experience providing technical assistance, capacity building and business development in the specific technical domain. Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization. Local experience with NGOs in Ghana is preferred

• International or Domestic (US) Program Development or Program management preferred.
• Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English. knowledge of local language/s of Ghana is preferred
• Applicants must have the legal authorization to work in Ghana
• Locals are encouraged to apply

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.

Technology to be Used:

• Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

• Up to 40%

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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